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Photograph of Katie Holton

Katie Holton Provost Associate Professor CAS | DHS | Health Studies

Degrees
PhD, Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona
MPH, Epidemiology, University of Arizona

Bio
Dr. Kathleen Holton is a nutritional neuroscientist, co-appointed in the Departments of Health Studies and Neuroscience, whose research examines the negative effects
of dietary excitotoxins on neurological symptoms, as well as the positive protective effects of
certain micronutrients on the brain. The most common dietary excitotoxin exposures in the US are from food additives. Dr. Holton’s research is exploring the beneficial effects of removing these additives, while optimizing the nutrient composition of the diet in order to treat neurological conditions characterized by excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Her work aims to optimize the use of food as medicine in neurological treatment.
See Also
Department of Health Studies
Department of Neuroscience
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Fall 2024

  • HLTH-210 Intro to Human Health/Disease

  • NEUR-898 Doctoral Continuing Enrollment

  • NEUR-899 Doctoral Dissertation

Spring 2025

  • NEUR-435 Food and the Brain

  • NEUR-898 Doctoral Continuing Enrollment

  • NEUR-899 Doctoral Dissertation

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Selected Publications

Maury AA*, Holton KF. Biomarkers Associated with Depression Improvement in Veterans with Gulf War Illness using the Low Glutamate Diet. ±·³Ü³Ù°ù¾±±ð²Ô³Ù²õ.Ìý2024. 16: 2255. 

Carr S*, Holton KF. A Cautious Reminder about the Potential Risk of Psychosis when Cannabis Is Used as a Treatment for Chronic Pain. Psychiatry Research Case Reports. 2024. 3(1). 

Martami F, Holton KF. Targeting Glutamate Neurotoxicity through Dietary Manipulation: Potential Treatment for Migraine. Nutrients. 2023; 15(18): 3952. 

Goyette MJ*, Murray SL, Saldanha CJ, Holton KF. Sex Hormones, Neurosteroids, and Glutamatergic Neurotransmission: A Review of the Literature. Neuroendocrinology. May 2023; 113(9):905-914. 

Sarlo GL*, Kao A, Holton KF. Investigation of The Low Glutamate Diet as an Adjunct Treatment for Pediatric Epilepsy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy. 2023 Mar; 106:138-147. EPub Feb 2023.

Fiebel P*, Ramachandra SS*, Holton KF. The Low Glutamate Diet reduces blood pressure after one month in veterans with Gulf War Illness: A CONSORT Randomized Clinical Trial. Medicine. 2023 Jan 27;102(4):e32726.

Murray SL*, Holton KF. Effects of a Diet Low in Excitotoxins on PTSD Symptoms and Related Biomarkers. Nutritional Neuroscience. 2022 Dec 9:1-11.

Langan MT*, Kirkland AE*, Rice LC*, Mucciarone VC, Baraniuk J, VanMeter A, Holton KF. Low glutamate diet improves working memory and contributes to altering BOLD response and functional connectivity within working memory networks in Gulf War Illness. Scientific Reports. 2022 Oct; 12:18004.

Brandley ET*, Kirkland AE, Baron M, Baraniuk JN, Holton KF. The Effect of the Low Glutamate Diet on the Reduction of Psychiatric Symptoms in Veterans with Gulf War Illness: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2022 Jun;13:926688. DOI:

* denotes Neutritional Neuorscience Lab member.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Experts

Area of Expertise

Processed Food, Food Additives, Adverse Reactions to Food, General Nutrition, Optimizing Diet (kids and adults)

Additional Information

Holton is a nutritional neuroscientist in the Department of Health Studies and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's Center for Behavioral Neuroscience. Her research examines the negative effects of dietary excitotoxins on neurological symptoms, as well as the positive protective effects of certain micronutrients on the brain. 

For the Media

To request an interview for a news story, call Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

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